Frequent social interaction with other people can give many more years of life elderly people, according to a new Chinese scientific study. People who have social contacts on an almost daily basis benefit the most in terms of life expectancy.

Given that approx a billion people in the world are over 60 years of age and their number is expected to have doubled by 2060, more and more attention is being paid to the so-called third age. There is a gradual increase in scientific research advocating “active” aging in every respect (with more physical, mental and social activity).

Investigatorsled by Dr. Shen He of the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, who made the relevant publication in the “Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health”, analyzed data for 28,563 very old people (mean age 89). How often they participated in various social activities was recorded and correlated with their likelihood of survival over the next five years. 25,406 had no social activity, 1,370 sometimes, 693 at least once a month, 553 at least once a week and 532 almost every day.

During the study, 21,161 (74%) died. The more often the more social contacts someone had, the greater the chance of living longer. Over a period of five years, 18.4% of those who had no social activity died, 8.8% of those who had occasional social contacts, 8.3% of those who had at least one a month, 7.5% of those who had at least one a week and 7.3% of those who had some social contact or activity almost every day.

Compared to those who were never socially active, the time to death was delayed by 42% in those who had occasional social activities, 48% in those who had at least one social activity monthly, 110% in those who had at least one social activity weekly, and 204% in those who had almost daily social activities. .

Very old men were more sociable, married, with a high level of education, who lived in a city and had relatives, as well as good health. The researchers said it is not entirely clear why social activity in old age may extend survival, especially if it is combined with exercise and a healthy diet. It probably plays a key role that social contacts are an antidote to chronic stress.

See the scientific publication here